Fifth grade student at Milton H. Allen Elementary School, Elizabeth Adler, assumed this role on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Assuming the role of superintendent is a difficult job, but Medford Township Public School Superintendent Joseph J. Del Rossi had some help fulfilling his duties for one day in December. An honor auctioned off earlier in the school year, Milton H. Allen Elementary School fifth grader Elizabeth Adler was granted the opportunity to become the student superintendent for a day on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Paving way to this opportunity, each summer the Medford Education Foundation hosts a pool party to raise money for the organization. Looking to build on this and acquire additional funding, a silent auction was held at this past summer’s pool party.
At this auction, all seven district schools donated items to be bid on. One “item” up for grabs was the ability for a student to become student superintendent for a day, and Elizabeth’s grandmother, Joan Kelly, bid approximately $250 for her granddaughter to be granted this opportunity. One other interested student was also awarded this prize, but his day as superintendent will take place this spring.
During Elizabeth’s big day as student superintendent, she quickly learned the job requires an early jump on the school day. Beginning at 7:10 a.m. sharp, Elizabeth was picked up from her home by Del Rossi and the video technician at the school district, Sharman Ebbeson.
With her official Medford Township employee nametag, Elizabeth accompanied Del Rossi and Ebbeson from school to school within the district. She helped Del Rossi answer phone calls, recorded a message for the phone, accompanied him in meetings, wrote a Facebook entry and even helped approve absences until the end of the school day at 3:35 p.m.
“I learned that there’s a lot more than just teachers and principals that goes into everything that happens around the township,” Elizabeth said. “We went to a lot of different schools, and they do things very differently at the other schools. There’s also a lot of just sitting in offices involved.”
Although Elizabeth isn’t sure if she wishes to pursue a career in education some day, Del Rossi said he was extremely impressed by her graciousness, politeness and eye contact with each person she encountered. He said from a fifth-grade student, this says a great deal.
Throughout their day together, Ebbeson took dozens of photos and documented many of the day’s events. Then, at the Board of Education meeting on the evening of Monday, Dec. 20, Ebbeson showed attendees a slideshow of the documentation. At this meeting, Elizabeth was also recognized with a certificate for her participation as student superintendent for a day.
“You did an absolutely phenomenal job,” Del Rossi told Elizabeth. “You are one of the most pleasant students that I’ve had the opportunity to spend an extended period of time with.”
